The new report “Status of Women in the States” takes a look at older women across the country and by state including demographics, opportunities, health, and employment and earnings. Some of the findings are relevant to ALFA’s data collection on long-term living issues related to workforce development, operational excellence, consumer choice and quality care through its Senior Living 2025 initiative.

Nearly all women and men aged 65 and older (99%) have health insurance coverage. Women are two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries aged 85 and older (Kaiser Family Foundation).

On average, older women spend more than twice as much as older mean on long-term services and supports. Women also have higher out-of-pocket annual expenses than older mean with the difference in expenses the largest among women and mean 85 and older (Kaiser Family Foundation).

In the United States overall slightly less than half of older women report they get at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week outside of their jobs. Oregonians are most likely to get that amount while older women in Mississippi are the least likely.

The median annual earnings of women 65 and older who work full-time in the United States is $37,000. Older women earn 72.5 cents on the dollar compared to their male counterparts.